"Google Audio": iTunes Killer or Music Search on Steroids?

**Paul Daniel Ash** · 10-21-2009, 10:36 AM

image via mac.tv.de

A spate of reports out this morning indicate that Google, Inc. may be preparing its next shot across the bow of Apple, Inc: an online music store to compete with Apple's iTunes.

TechCrunch's Michael Arrington claims that Google "has spent the last several weeks securing content" for an online music service, according to "multiple sources." His piece says that the service - which he claims will be called "Google Audio" will be available in the US "at least," but global availability is not clear.

Arrington took pains to distinguish this potential offering from the free music service provided by Google China for the past year:

We're still gathering details, but our understanding is the service will be very different to the Google China music download service that they launched in 2008. That service, which is only available in China, allows users to search for music and download it for free.

Peter Kafka, who writes the "Media Memo" blog at the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital site, claims -citing an apparently different set of sources - that Google's new product will not compete directly with iTunes. Kafka's sources tell him that the service, to be called One Box, "will only be offering limited bits of music, and it will be using other companies to actually provide the tunes." According to this version, users will enter a search term on Google and will be provided with a snippet or full-length song, with a link to an external site where the track can be downloaded.

As the waters of rumor continue to churn, little can be known for certain. However, reports do converge on the idea that the release is "imminent," so things should clear up in short order.

**gthugballin** · 10-21-2009, 11:00 AM

Edit Poseidon: "First!" - can't forget that.

I hope this is true... I love google chrome

.

Eagerly awaiting the google OS that I herd was coming out next year.

**Poseidon79** · 10-21-2009, 11:01 AM

This would be good. iTunes is an ultimate one stop shop for all your audio needs. Unfortunately there really isn't a good alternative and we have to accept their pricing structure too.

**rel1215** · 10-21-2009, 11:11 AM

yeah, wouldn't mind having some competition push their prices back down......but since its google, there is a 50/50 chance that this will be totally half baked and never really get finished.....here's hoping though

**jasonmoe** · 10-21-2009, 11:29 AM

This would be a good thing. Hope it comes out.

**cssoz** · 10-21-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by gthugballin

Edit Poseidon: "First!" - can't forget that.

I hope this is true... I love google chrome

.

Eagerly awaiting the google OS that I herd was coming out next year.

Google Chrome is the fastest but is just another way of Google to advertise "Google". Firefox + 80% useful addons beats G-Chrome. Plus firefox 3.6 + (addon) tweak network settings is fast as hell.

**Texasbob** · 10-21-2009, 12:32 PM

I dont think it would really drive prices down. The music labels will make their money either way.

**z28kid** · 10-21-2009, 01:45 PM

Wonder if there will be a yearly fee or if this will be a free service provided by them. ill be watching

**itsmejdn** · 10-21-2009, 02:13 PM

According to Rolling Stones, "Spotify" is going to give iTunes a run for its money. But Google Audio sounds interesting.

**plcrules** · 10-21-2009, 02:36 PM

the only reason this wont go as far as itunes iphone/ipod support

**gthugballin** · 10-21-2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Poseidon79

This would be good. iTunes is an ultimate one stop shop for all your audio needs. Unfortunately there really isn't a good alternative and we have to accept their pricing structure too.

lol... i didn't wanna say OMG first

but ty for putting it in for me

**sonofjemmi** · 10-21-2009, 03:54 PM

I agree

**tudtran** · 10-21-2009, 04:39 PM

I hope Google Audio can step up and gave iTunes a run for it money. I would love to used both iTunes and Google Audio.

**bubly123** · 10-21-2009, 09:34 PM

This is a great idea, but I think google would have to create an innovative mp3 player (or mp3 player line like the one apple has). With the mp3 player it can go hand in hand with itunes, I believe iTunes is only so popular because of their mp3 players. I dont think iTunes would be a success without their line of products.

**badass1469** · 10-22-2009, 03:53 AM

Lame.

**mwr_allen** · 10-23-2009, 04:09 AM

Should be called GTunes or GoogleTunes, ha ha.

also it would be good for the end users to have more than 1 great online music store as they would hopefully compete to outprice each other and more incentive to improve their services to compete.

**rwin84** · 10-23-2009, 12:15 PM

This is great for moving the industry forward. Competition breeds innovation.

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Thread: "Google Audio": iTunes Killer or Music Search on Steroids?

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image via mac.tv.de A spate of reports out this morning indicate that Google, Inc. may be preparing its next shot across the bow of Apple, Inc: an online music store

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